Fall Guide: Upcoming festivals, comedy shows, visual arts events and more 

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Stigmata Rich lady Carmen Ruiz is perturbed when she wakes up in a cell-like room with few comforts or clues about where she is, how she got there or why she's there. $23. Thurs., Sept. 29, 8 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 30, 8 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 1, 8 p.m. Duke Energy Theatre, 345 North College St., Charlotte. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalarts.org.

Tarradiddle Travels Children's Theatre of Charlotte's Tarradiddle Players' Preschool Show. Three actors playfully tell stories using colorful prop pieces and encouraging audience interaction. $10-$12. Sat., Oct. 22, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 23, 2 p.m. ImaginOn, 300 East 7th St., Charlotte. 704-416-4600. www.imaginon.org.

A Tuna Christmas This holiday comedy features two actors playing more than 20 different roles in a funny, satirical depiction of life in the "third smallest town in Texas". Nov. 24-Dec. 25. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 2424 N. Davidson St., Charlotte. 704-455-8542. www.nccast.com.

West Side Story The Broadway musical directed by David Saint is set in New York City in the mid-1950s and follows a rivalry (and a couples forbidden love) between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Tues., Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Wed., Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m.; Thurs., Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 4, 8 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 5, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 6, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalarts.org.

Winthrop Dance Theatre's International Biographies This concert will feature works choreographed by faculty and guest artists. Its theme focuses on taking an innovative approach to the world of dance. $8-$15. Nov. 2-5, 8 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 6, 2 p.m. Winthrop University's Johnson Theatre, 124 McLaurin Hall, Rock Hill. 803-323-2493. www.winthrop.edu/cvpa/theatredance/.

Xanadu The Musical Queen City Theatre Company takes on the cult classic movie, which starred Olivia Newton-John. The show follows the journey of a magical Greek muse who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist to follow his dreams. For more information, visit www.queencitytheatre.com. $24-$28. Oct. 6-8, 8 p.m.; Oct. 11-15, 8 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 16, 3 p.m.; Oct. 18-22, 8 p.m. Duke Energy Theatre, 345 North College St., Charlotte. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalarts.org.

MUSEUMS

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art Niki de Saint Phalle: Creation of a New Mythology. 55 new sculptures, paintings and prints by French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle (the creator of the "Firebird" sculpture, which stands just outside of the Bechtler) are on display in the museum and five large-scale works are viewable outside. Through Oct. 3. Remembering Cascade: Tinguely's Last Sculpture. The exhibit focuses on letters, prints and found objects related to renowned kinetic artist Jean Tinguely's Cascade sculpture. Sept. 9-Jan. 16. 420 South Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-353-9200. www.bechtler.org.

Charlotte Museum of History Survive: Jamestown. The exhibit puts visitors in a recreation of 1607 Jamestown, Virginia with information on the time period and its residents. Singgalot (The Ties That Bind): Filipinos in America, from Colonial Subjects to Citizens. Tells the story of how Filipinos shaped the history of America with their own experiences, traditions, and cultural heritage. Partners: Photography from Mecklenburg, Germany. Exhibit connects the county to one woman (Charlotte, Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and Queen of Great Britain). It will feature photography of the region and people of the Mecklenburg region in Germany. Charlotte Stories: Our Collections, Your Treasures. Highlights a variety of treasures from the Charlotte Museum of History collection, as well as borrowed items. Charlotte's Pole to Pole Flag. This exhibit traces a Charlotte city flag's journey to the North and South Poles. Mecklenburg: Crossroads of Commerce. Tells the story of Charlotte from the nation's first Gold Rush through the Civil War, World War II and other significant events up to the present day. Settlement in the Backcountry. Learn about 18th century settlers who traveled the Great Wagon Road into the rugged N.C. Piedmont frontier. You can also view Charlotte, as it appeared in 1775 through an interactive diorama. Solving the Rock House Mysteries. Chronicles the restoration of the Alexander homesite and explores the names and faces, myths and legends, surrounding the more than 230 year old home. 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte. 704-568-1774. www.charlottemuseum.org.

Discovery Place Mummies of the World. An astounding collection of 150 real human and animal specimens and authentic artifacts from around the world sheds light on past cultures and civilizations. Nov. 11-April 8. Life: A Journey Through Time. The exhibition is a multimedia presentation with images captured by National Geographic wildlife photographer Frans Lanting. Cool Stuff. Exhibit explores science and physics through hands-on interaction and experimentation. The exhibit allows visitors to launch objects into the air, lie on a bed of nails, crush a garbage can, use a laser to listen to secret messages and more. Explore More Stuff. Discover the secrets of stuff through chemistry and physics in this exhibit that allows visitors to experiment with forces and materials, through magnetism, electricity and more. KidScience. Fun and learning go hand in hand at this exhibit for young visitors. The stimulating atmosphere relates to science and math. Children will learn by touching and testing different environments and activities, including water tables, wind tunnels, blocks, gears and air tubes. Think it Up. Think freely, take risks and explore the unknown through air tubes, mechanical launchers, air sculptures, footwear and more. World Alive. Exhibit explores the Earths's biodiversity, through a range of habitats and live species. From rainforests to aquariums, viewers can broaden their education and experience related hands-on activities. 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-372-6261. www.discoveryplace.org.